Billy just smiled. "I also know exactly what it is. I'll get you more, Vi. It doesn't have to last ten years like that last one."
"Love you, Billy," Violet told him.
And from somewhere behind me, I heard, "God, what a whore."
I started to turn, but Cy grabbed my arm. "It's just April," he whispered. "Don't give her anything to work with."
So I focused on my meal instead. The problem was that every time I felt like we got ahead, someone had to make one of those digs. Monday, I was going to finalize everything with Mike, then make sure he had a sign that said payment plans were available. Emily's friend had been given her new car, and Emily was giggling about how excited the woman was. The hard part was convincing her that she needed to wait another day to get her own car back.
Berto jumped in to help with that, saying he would take her after church if she'd point out the landmarks in town. He said he wanted to at least act like he knew a little about the town he'd grown up in, even if he hadn't been here for a few too many years. Somehow, Zeke had found out about the new tires yesterday, but the boy hadn't said anything yet. In fact, he was helping to convince his mom that she should help Berto with that.
I was watching the conversation flow up and down the table while I ate, tossing in what I thought were a few good points myself when I could. Granted, Emily would figure out who had bought her tires as soon as she saw them, but that was ok. I liked doing things for my friends, and these people? They were so much more than that.
Then a woman gasped behind me. "Oh my god, Ash!"
I turned to see Deena, the heavier woman from last week's lingerie party, waiting in the line for the counter. "Hey!" I greeted her, turning in my chair so I could see her.
The woman had a man standing just behind her, most likely her husband, but she gestured to her entire body like she was showing off. "What do you think? Can you tell the difference?"
I gestured for her to spin even as I stood up and headed closer. "Oh, you look magnificent. That does great things for your ass, and your cleavage is distracting as hell."
Deena grinned as she looked back at the man. "He's the one who made the stuff."
"Adam," the man said, offering his hand. "Deena told me she met the designer, but..."
"You didn't expect a man," I guessed.
"I didn't expect you to just give that stuff away," he said.
So I leaned in and lowered my voice. "So, is it sexy enough? Need more lace? More see-through fabric? I mean, give me some pointers here?"
Adam laughed a little awkwardly. "No, um, I like it."
"In my size," Deena said, taking over, "my options are usually granny panties and dual circus tents on top. White, white, white, sometimes tan, and every so often in black."
"Ugh, I know!" I said. "Pisses me off just walking through a store. Call me crazy, but I love shimmery fabrics andcolors! I also really like how these pants lay on the side of your hips. Do the panties help with the lines at all?"
"Look!" Deena gasped, pointing to her ample curves. "No indentations. No visible panty lines. And this bra. Ash, my boobs have not been up here in at least ten years. I have been telling everyone about this stuff, and I'm coming to the next party to see what else you have."
"Then I'll have Leslie send me a big selection," I promised. "Thursday. Our place." I looked at Adam. "Sounds like the guys will be hiding out back, so you're welcome too."
"Thanks, but I'm going to pass," Adam said. "She does her thing with the girls and I play poker with the guys that night."
I patted his arm. "I'll try not to keep her out too late, then. I'm so glad you showed me, Deena. You look amazing."
She smiled and waved, so I headed back to my table, but I didn't quite make it. Halfway there, a cowboy around my age moved to stand right in my path. His head was shaved, his skin was tanned from working outside, and the guy was built a lot like Luke. He had about an inch on me and maybe twenty-five pounds, and the look on his face was not friendly.
"We don't like your kind in here," he said, bracing up.
I made a point of running my eyes over his body. "Planning to get a little rough with me, cowboy? Bad time to mention that I'm a top?"
"Faggot," the man snapped.
Behind him, I saw every man at my table push to their feet - even Zeke. I lifted a hand, begging them to not start anything. "I'm here with my family to have dinner. I'm not trying to start anything."
"And maybe I am," the guy said.
"Back off, Tommy," Luke told him. "He's Bev's friend, and you know she'll ban you from coming back if you pick a fight in here."
